<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Price is another matter. I understand that United might want to make some of its cheapest tickets un-upgradeable. This is understandable. I suggest that United make its absolute least expensive tickets un-upgradeable, but beyond that, upgrades should be allowed. For example, the $178 round-trip from ORD to LGA purchased on United.com, Orbitz, etc. should be un-upgradeable. But the $227 ticket should be upgradeable. Same with ORD to LHR—no upgrade on the $650 ticket but upgrades on the $850 ticket. I can live with that. </font>
In the examples you describe, what would you have happen if you purchased the upgradeable fare but the upgrade did not clear?